Irish/World Racing Round-Up - 07/01/2019

Irish/World Racing Round-Up - 07/01/2019

With the festivities now very much over, racing mode can get back into full swing - not like we had a break from it anyway!

However, it was a quiet couple of days internationally, firstly on Saturday; with the pick of the stuff coming from the Middle East.

Dubai's World Cup Festival began at Meydan last Thursday, but the action resumed there on Saturday with several handicaps taking place on the turf. British riders Pat Dobbs, Harry Bentley and Jim Crowley all had a success to shout about.

Ireland had a seven-race card from Cork, with Court Maid for Thomas Mullins winning the opening race and the feature contest novice hurdle over two miles.

On Sunday, we returned to Ireland and Naas, for their showpiece event - the Grade One Lawlor of Naas' Novices Hurdle. Battleoverdoyen continued his perfect record by landing the spoils for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy.

Still appearing to look a big-baby, he won readily in what looked a top contest to call beforehand.

With Come To Me and Tornado Flyer both disappointing for Willie Mullins, it was left for the 6yo gelding to take in good style, and now looks a leading candidate for the either the Supreme or the Ballymore at Cheltenham in March.

Elsewhere in the world, it would not be a regular day if Silvestre De Sousa did not bag a winner. He scored aboard the 6yo Winning Supreme from Australia at Sha Tin in Hong Kong, in the Sa Po Handicap on the All-weather.

Zac Purton - who has had such an incredible winter in the East, bagged a double on the day.